Torsion disc for use in a continuously variable transmission

• US 7,785,228 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Lohr, Charles B, Simister, Matthew P, Smithson, Robert A, Nichols, Jon M, Thomassy, Fernand A, Poth, Wesley R, Dawe, Daniel J, Miller, Donald C, Armstrong, Oronde J, Pohl, Brad P
• Primary Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/842,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20080034586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 464/66.1, 464/67.1, 464/68.1, 464/68.8, 476/45, 476/67, 745/722, 192/110.R, 192/110.S, 192/115
• US Class Current: 476/67
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 23/00 Transmissions characterised by use of other elements; Other transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 9/00 Transmissions characterised by use of an endless chain, belt, or the like cycle chain guards B62J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/28 with external friction surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/50 Gearings providing a continuous range of gear ratios
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/503 in which two members co-operate by means of balls or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49462 Gear making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49464 Assembling of gear into force transmitting device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49467 Gear shaping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a torsion disc for a CVT. The torsion disc includes a splined bore about its central axis, an annular recess formed in the disc for receiving the race of a bearing, and a raised surface for supporting a torsion spring. In one embodiment, the torsion disc includes a number of holes for receiving dowels that support a torsion spring. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.

Claims

1. A torsion disc for transferring torque and supporting components of a clamping force generation mechanism in a continuously variable transmission, the torsion disc comprising:

a disc having a first side, a second side, an outer periphery, and an inner bore;

an annular recess formed on the first side;

a plurality of splines formed on the inner bore;

a first shoulder formed on the disc and configured to support a load cam of the clamping force generation mechanism; and

a second shoulder formed on the disc and configured to support a torsion spring of the clamping force generation mechanism;

wherein the second shoulder rises from the first shoulder away from the first side reaching a maximum height measured from the first side, wherein the second shoulder rises from the first shoulder and then falls toward the inner bore in a convex shape.

2. The torsion disc of claim 1, wherein the first and second shoulders are formed on the second side of the disc.

3. The torsion disc of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder comprises a plurality of orifices adapted to receive a plurality of dowels that support the torsion spring.

4. The torsion disc of claim 1, wherein the second shoulder comprises a plurality of orifices adapted to receive the torsion spring, and wherein the orifices are arranged to allow different configurations of the torsion spring.